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Colorado pigs hit by virus

PUEBLO — An assistant state veterinarian for the Colorado Department of Agriculture says officials are trying to contain the spread of a virus that threatens the Colorado pork industry.

Dr. Nick Striegel says the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus was thought to exist only in Europe and China. Colorado and 14 other states began reporting the virus in April, and officials confirmed its presence in May.

According to KRDO-TV, the virus causes severe diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration in pigs. The mortality rate can be as high as 100 percent in some facilities for nursing pigs.